NY chicken lover!!!!

[stonykill]

thanks Sunnyside and Rancher.

 

[featherz]

two of my coops really love oatmeal - the other one I don't bother since they won't eat it. They're weird chickens.

One of my coops is made out of a horse run-in and there's a large area completely open to air just under the metal roof. It has hardware cloth covering of course, but all the little white leghorn pullets are roosting up there on the beams under the roof - essentially they are 'outside' as they are right next to open hardware cloth ventilation areas.. they made it just fine and are up there again tonight staring at me. Minus double digits didn't even phase them.

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Stony--nice kill. One less headache in the world of chickendom!

Almost froze to death this morning taking care of the cheeps. It was 2 with a windchill of -9. I was definately NOT out in my nightgown and jacket this morning. I was appropriately dressed and moving quickly. Wish I could have stayed home and cooked hot oatmeal for the cheeps. I felt bad for them.

Hey stony---just had a thought. Would your chickens appreciate a weasel furcovered roost?

Be safe and warm everyone!

 

[ChickPrincess]

A grey comb or blue comb usually means a lack of oxygen due to a respiratory problem. Frost bite makes the combs black.

Good to know! Thanks!

Adrenalin rush 1st thing this morning. Still shaking from either the cold or the rush.


Had to grab the .22 quick and get a perfect gloveless shot off on it in the 5 below zero temps.

I assumed they came out over 40' F like raccoons. Guess not!

I guess you could eat the mean one ..He seems like the problem .
How is Henry doing ? I Havent heard from you in a couple of days

Unfortunately, Henry lost his fight last night. I brought him in the house (basement) and he seemed to be doing better. He stood up and we thought he drank something. My son checked first thing this morning and he was gone.
At least he was able to go in peace instead of being cold and picked on.
I'm bummed.

 

[Tough Old Bird]

Hi everyone. I'm a new member here and am roughly a 1/2 hour S.W. of Syracuse. I'm so impressed with the large, friendly community base here and am looking forward to learning A LOT.

I'm self educating myself this winter in preparation for starting a small spring (hen only) flock with enthusiastic help from my 11-year old son. The primary purpose of these chickens will be for pets / eggs. We love our animals.

At this juncture, I'm planning on finding starter pullets, rather than raising chicks. This is due to a busy spring schedule. However, I welcome any feedback and advice from others based on their past experience(s) with chicks vs. pullets.

I'm very interested in Barred Rocks, Orpingtons, Australorps or Americaunas. Looking for cold-weather hardy, friendly disposition birds that are not overly broody. I'm hoping to hook up with someone reputable nearby that is willing to sell me some starter hens in the spring .... ?? I wouldn't mind making a drive somewhere, say an hour or two.

Happy New Year to all, and thanks in advance for info you'd like to share!

"TOB"

 

[stonykill]

Good to know! Thanks!
I assumed they came out over 40' F like raccoons. Guess not!

coons coming out over 40? Someone forgot to tell coon this.......coons eat when hungry. Period.

 

[Cass]

Hi everyone. I'm a new member here and am roughly a 1/2 hour S.W. of Syracuse. I'm so impressed with the large, friendly community base here and am looking forward to learning A LOT.

I'm self educating myself this winter in preparation for starting a small spring (hen only) flock with enthusiastic help from my 11-year old son. The primary purpose of these chickens will be for pets / eggs. We love our animals.

At this juncture, I'm planning on finding starter pullets, rather than raising chicks. This is due to a busy spring schedule. However, I welcome any feedback and advice from others based on their past experience(s) with chicks vs. pullets.

I'm very interested in Barred Rocks, Orpingtons, Australorps or Americaunas. Looking for cold-weather hardy, friendly disposition birds that are not overly broody. I'm hoping to hook up with someone reputable nearby that is willing to sell me some starter hens in the spring .... ?? I wouldn't mind making a drive somewhere, say an hour or two.

Happy New Year to all, and thanks in advance for info you'd like to share!

"TOB"

You came to the right place. Lots of folks out there by you. (myself not included)

Started Pullets will cost you more at the outset, but will get you eggs faster. The wait from 4 days to 4 + months is about 10 times as long as you would expect it to be. However, you might be able to score chicks for free in mid-spring, cuz we all over hatch and keep what we like, sell cheap or give away the rest.

You might find Pure Bred Ameruacanas, but they will cost you a few body parts as started pullets. You will definately find EE (easter eggers) being called Ameruacanas by people who aren't aware of the difference (and definately any hatchery will sell you EE's as Ameruacanas.) EE lay various colored eggs and lay far more often than pure Ameruacanas. IF I had it to do all over again, I would go with Easter Eggers....I only get 2 - 3 eggs a week out of my 2 Ameruacana hens. Almost not worth the feed they eat.

I am not familiar with the other breeds you are interested in, but I am sure someone on here is. Equally sure that they will be able to provide you with the birds you need, if you contact them now. Some plan to start hatching in late January. If you want started pullets they will have to hatch in Jan - march to be old enough to tell gender by spring.

My best tip is build as big as you can afford. Chicken math has yet to skip a single person who wanted to start a "small flock"....their definition of small kept expanding. And bigger is easier to keep clean and sanitary. And it is far easier to walk in to clean and collect eggs than it is to lean in....regardless of the cute design of some chicken "tractors".

 

[Cass]

Good to know! Thanks!
I assumed they came out over 40' F like raccoons. Guess not!
Unfortunately, Henry lost his fight last night. I brought him in the house (basement) and he seemed to be doing better. He stood up and we thought he drank something. My son checked first thing this morning and he was gone.
At least he was able to go in peace instead of being cold and picked on.
I'm bummed.

Sorry for your loss.

I was really hoping you would prove me a liar.

 

[Henicillin]

I'm very interested in Barred Rocks, Orpingtons, Australorps or Americaunas. Looking for cold-weather hardy, friendly disposition birds that are not overly broody. I'm hoping to hook up with someone reputable nearby that is willing to sell me some starter hens in the spring .... ?? I wouldn't mind making a drive somewhere, say an hour or two.

Welcome aboard! There are several BYC peeps up your way who will undoubtedly be happy to help you out.

ChickPrincess, sorry to read about Henry.

Stony, great shot! One of our neighbors across the road says there's a fisher around here. A couple of people have seen it wandering around. That beast could be trouble if it discovers the chooks. Everyone is keeping an eye out for it, as several people also have cats and small dogs.

We found deer tracks on our deck. The stupid things are apparently coming right up onto the deck and peering in the windows. No wonder my dog barks her fool head off sometimes.

 

[java girl 2]

Who has the sweetgrass turkeys? I couldn't make heads or tails of that post!

I would be interested in eggs.

Hi everyone. I'm a new member here and am roughly a 1/2 hour S.W. of Syracuse. I'm so impressed with the large, friendly community base here and am looking forward to learning A LOT.

I'm self educating myself this winter in preparation for starting a small spring (hen only) flock with enthusiastic help from my 11-year old son. The primary purpose of these chickens will be for pets / eggs. We love our animals.

At this juncture, I'm planning on finding starter pullets, rather than raising chicks. This is due to a busy spring schedule. However, I welcome any feedback and advice from others based on their past experience(s) with chicks vs. pullets.

I'm very interested in Barred Rocks, Orpingtons, Australorps or Americaunas. Looking for cold-weather hardy, friendly disposition birds that are not overly broody. I'm hoping to hook up with someone reputable nearby that is willing to sell me some starter hens in the spring .... ?? I wouldn't mind making a drive somewhere, say an hour or two.

Happy New Year to all, and thanks in advance for info you'd like to share!

"TOB"

I have Barred Rocks, Lav Orpingtons and EEs. I will have them for sale in the spring. how old are you looking to get them?